Best Cars 2007 - Consumer Reports (by CNNMoney)

Budget Car, subcompact
Honda Fit
Cost: $14,000 to $16,000


Consumer Reports calls the Fit the "best overall in a new class of fuel-efficient cars."
Fuel economy, as measured in Consumer Reports' controlled tests, was 32 mpg with an automatic transmission and 34 mpg with a manual.

"Not only is it fun to drive, but its compact dimensions pack an impressive amount of interior room and versatility," the magazine said.
The Fit got top scores in "Reliability," "Crash protection" and "Satisfaction." Its road test score was good, but not the best.

This has become a crowded market segment with a number of good entries, said David Champion, head of auto testing for Consumer Reports.

"The Nissan Versa we thought was very good," he said. "The Kia Rio and Hyundai Accent were very good."



Sedan, less than $20,000
Honda Civic
Cost: $17,000 to $23,000

Cosumer Reports praises the Civic for its "relatively roomy interior, comfortable ride, smooth powertrain and good handling."

It also helps that the Civic has good reliability, crash test results and fuel economy.

In Consumer Reports' tests, it got 31 mpg with a manual transmission and 28 with an automatic. The hybrid version got 37 mpg.

Sedan, $20,000 to $30,000
Honda Accord
Cost: $20,000 to $33,000

Like the Civic, the Accord is availaible in a hybrid version, which offers only slightly better fuel economy, however.

In Consumer Reports' testing, the Accord Hybrid got 25 mpg, while a V6 Accord got 23 mpg and the 4-cylinder version got 24.

"The Accord provides an excellent balance of comfort, roominess, ride and handling," the magazine says.

Sedan, $30,000 to $40,000
Infiniti G35
Cost: $35,000 to $39,000

The G35 is available in rear-wheel-drive or all-wheel-drive.

The G35 "really blows the BMW 3-series away at its own game," said David Champion, head of auto testing for Consumer Reports.

"It's extremely fast - 306 horsepower, zero-to-60 in 5.4 seconds - really agile handling, great steering, reasonable amount of room inside and really easy to live with on a day-to-day basis."

Its reliability has also been excellent, Champion said, although the record for parent company Nissan has been spotty.

Luxury Sedan
Infiniti M35
Cost: $42,000 to $45,000

The M35 earned the highest score of any sedan in Consumer Reports' testing, according to the magazine.

"Well equipped and comfortable, it's just as capable on a twisty two-lane road as it is cruising down the highway."

Like the smaller G35 - also a Top Pick - it's available with either rear- or all-wheel-drive. The V8-power M45 costs about $55,000.

In the same class, the BMW 530i and Audi A6 are also worth considering, the magazine said.

SUV, less than $30,000
Toyota Rav4
Cost: $23,000 to $27,000

The Rav4 was redesigned for 2006, adding more room and an optional third row of seats. An optional V6 engine gives smooth performance and good power while provided just 1 mpg lower fuel economy in Consumer Reports' testing.

The Rav4 also got top marks for reliability and crash protection.

The newly redesigned Honda CR-V is another good choice, the magazine said.

SUV, more than $30,000
Toyota Highlander Hybrid
Cost: 35,000 to $40,000

Although the Highlander Hybrid is a Top Pick, even Consumer Reports wouldn't advise you to buy it now. That's because the redesigned 2008 version will be available very soon.

The 2007 Highlander offers a comfortable, quiet ride and excellent quality, according to Consumer Reports. The new version will have a movable second row, to allow for more space in the third row, according to Toyota.

The Hybrid offers all the benefits of the non-hybrid Highlander with better acceleration but only slightly better fuel economy (22 mpg) in Consumer Reports' testing. The redesigned will be the same, in terms of the drivetrain, as the current version.

Minivan
Toyota Sienna
Cost: $26,000 to $28,000

When Consumer Reports first started releasing "Top Picks" in 1997, the minivan chosen was the Dodge Caravan/Plymouth Voyager.

The Toyota Sienna and Honda Odyssey have traded the top spot ever since. With the addition of a more powerful engine, the Sienna takes it back after two years of going to the Odyssey.

"It's a little bit quieter, a little bit more refined, little bit more comfortable than the Odyssey," said David Champion, head of Consumer Reports' auto testing.

Champion also said that, for his personal use, he would go for the Honda.
"I'm a bit more of a driver," he said. "I prefer the Odyssey. It's got a bit more of a sports car performance in a minivan."

Green car
Toyota Prius
Cost: $23,000

The Prius got 44 mpg overall in Consumer Reports' testing, the best the magazine has ever measured for a 5-passenger vehicle.

The interior is also roomy enough, for both occupants and luggage, to make the Prius a viable alternative to an ordinary family sedan.

A rearview camera is available and, the magazine says, "highly recommended."

Fun to drive
Mazda MX-5 Miata
Cost: $21,000 to $27,000

The Miata offers balanced handling, pinpoint-precise steering and a crisp six-speed manual transmission.

Its cloth top can be raised and lowered with one hand without leaving the seat. A new power-folding hard-top is available for 2007.

Reliability is fair, but that's good enough to earn a recommendation.

The Miata competes against the Pontiac Solstice and the closely-related Saturn Sky. So far, the Solstice has been outselling the Miata.

"I think [the Solstice] is going to do very well for the first couple of years," said David Champion, head of Consumer Reports' auto testing, "but I think, over the long term, this is the better sports car."

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src: http://money.cnn.com/

Mazda 2 (2003)

To professional cynics it comes as an appalling shock to find a car company slogan that serves as a fair guide to its products. And it's not Audi's austere "vorschsprung durch technik", or even BMW's "ultimate driving machine". It's Mazda's "zoom-zoom".

The rationale behind that annoying zoom-zooming jingle is that all Mazdas have the soul of a sportscar. We can't speak for the Bravo ute or E-series van but the Mazda 2 - despite being an entry-level urban runabout lives up to the claim. The way its 1.5-litre engine turns raspy and urgent as you rev it to join a motorway, the way its automatic transmission batters against the rev limiter in manual mode rather than give up by changing up, the way it sniffs into corners like a puppy - or a Mini Cooper. Yeah, that's soul - not in James Brown quantities but more than you'd expect to find in a high-bodied $20,000 hatchback.

The Mazda 2 first appeared in 2002, and was revised this year with bigger headlamps, a sports manual mode on automatic models and minor engineering changes including an electrically driven power steering pump.

From the outside it now looks a little like a Ford Fiesta - which would be fitting because it shares its mechanical platform with that car. But perhaps the most significant change is a neat and appealing flick-knife style key, of the type used by Volkswagen, Audi, Mercedes-Benz and Holden in the Astra. Each key probably costs about $10 wholesale, if that, but it gives the feeling of a much more luxurious and expensive car - and it doesn't wear out your pocket lining.

The 1.5-litre engine remains unchanged apart from now complying with next year's Euro 3 pollution controls. It keeps its pleasingly rorty feel, delivering its 82kW of power and 141Nm of torque, high in the range but never feels strained while puttering around at lower revs. Mazda says an electronic throttle, replacing the throttle cable of the previous model, increases torque between 1500 and 3000rpm.

The four-speed automatic is one of the better examples of its kind. As mentioned, it delegates full control to the driver when the lever is pushed across to make it a four-speed manual - just like a sportscar. It's also calibrated to allow a lively launch for a small car, although a dash-mounted gear indicator shows it gets quickly into top gear if you're not in a hurry. Where many small autos feel wheezy and lethargic, the 2 is willing.

Fuel use on test was a not particularly good 8.1 litres per 100km, making the point that if you want automatic in a small car you'll pay twice ? at the dealership and at the pumps.

Safety is another hard sell on small cars with their price-conscious buyers. But to Mazda's credit safety equipment remains an affordable option across the Mazda 2 range with a package of side airbags, curtain airbags and ABS brakes available on all models for a modest $1150.

In a refreshing change from the usual cynical practice of specifying media cars with as much optional equipment as they can stand, the test car had no ABS brakes or extra airbags. The screech that accompanied our routine 40km/h brake feel test almost made us nostalgic for the bad old days, but not something we'd tolerate when the alternative is so cheap. For what its worth, the brakes have a nice firm yet progressive pedal feel.

Cabin decor lies in Siberia - halfway between Europe and Japan, in other words. Expanses of grey plastic and velour recall some dreary Mazdas from the company's lean years in the 1990s but the instrument display has a funky Italianate look, there's plenty of storage space and the controls feel substantial in use. What's more they are fully aligned for right-hand drive, a rare concession in these days of global manufacturing.

The stereo looks classy and is easy to use - what more could you ask for? Actually a bit of peace and quiet to listen to it would be nice. At highway speeds the cabin of a Mazda 2 can be a lively place with the engine spinning at 3000rpm at 110km/h, a fair amount of tyre noise and the whole lot amplified by its van-like back seat and boot.

That back seat can be moved fore and aft, depending on whether your priority is to transport passengers or luggage. Set fully back, the rear seat has room for adult heads and feet but is only wide enough for two full-sized people. With plenty of room around the front seats as well, the 2 is a genuine four-adult car. As well as having good space inside there's easy access through wide-opening doors.

The boot is a little narrow but a serious drawback are the childseat mounting points - just inside the rear bumper. The top strap of the restraint cuts through the luggage compartment, making it useless for bulky loads - such as a pram. That pulls the pin for parents.

But singletons looking for a practical yet perky little car are in luck. The 2's agility belies its wardrobe-like appearance. The steering has an immediate feel, with no ill-effects from the change from a belt-driven to an electric hydraulic pump.

Handling exceeds expectations, with a flat cornering stance, impressive grip and no dramas over rough surfaces. It has something of the feel of the original Mini, which for those with long memories, is high praise indeed.

It's matched with a ride which avoids the extremes of crashing and pitching that small cars are prone to. Controlled rather than cushy sums it up. Noise is more of a problem than bumping in the 2, but at least suspension doesn't contribute to the racket.

If you're in the market for a small car check out this Mazda. You've nothing 2 lose.

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src: http://carsguide.news.com.au/